February 4, World Cancer Day, an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), is a global event during which the entire community of the world unites to fight against the global cancer epidemic. The main purpose of commemorating this day is to raise global awareness and provide education to prevent cancer. The day is also marked for making concerted efforts to act to prevent cancer, both at individual and at governmental level.
Cancer is a disease that occurs when mutation changes in a group of normal cells within the body lead to uncontrolled growth. The growth may present itself as a tumor in solid body organs or uncontrolled blood cell growth. When left untreated, cancer can grow and spread into surrounding normal tissue, or to other parts of the body via the bloodstream and lymphatic system. Cancer can affect any part of the human organ system. These tumors can either be benign, which are not cancerous and generally pose no threat to life, or malignant, which have the ability to spread and destroy neighboring normal tissues thereby causing metastatic cancer. There are many factors that contribute to the development of cancer namely: alcohol, carcinogens, use of tobacco, genetic predisposition, weakened immune system, radiations, increasing age and infections. The signs and symptoms of cancer are also varied. However, some common signs and symptoms are presence of lumps, changes in bowel habits, unexplained bleeding, unexplained weight loss, coughing and breathlessness, and fatigue.
According to GLOBOCAN 2012, the online database of International Agency for Research on Cancer, an estimated 14.1 million new cancer cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths occurred in 2012. This is a rise from 2008, whereby there was 12.7 million new cancer cases and 7.6 million cancer-related deaths. In the Tibetan community in India and Nepal, there is a lack of strong evidence based data on cancer epidemiology. But generally, certain cancers like stomach cancer, esophageal cancer and liver cancer have been seen to be common causes of morbidity as well as mortality in the Tibetan exile population of India and Nepal.
There are many myths and misconceptions about cancer in society that may hamper the efforts to reduce of the disease burden globally. The UICC theme of this World Cancer day for 2014 focuses on reduction of cancer stigma and removal of myths about cancer, under the tagline “Debunk the Myths”. Four general myths about cancer have been highlighted, which are:
1. We don’t need to talk about cancer.
2. There are no signs and symptoms of cancer.
3. There is nothing I can do about cancer.
4. I don’t have the right to cancer care.
To honor World Cancer Day, I encourage everyone to take active steps in our personal lives to discuss and prevent cancer. First, open discussions about cancer with partners, family members, friends and colleagues can help to alleviate feelings of fear, anxiety and sadness that are associated with cancer. Providing proper support for persons living with cancer can help them cope and improve their quality of life. Secondly, for many cancers, there are warning signs and symptoms. Awareness is the first step to early detection and improving cancer outcomes. We must remember that more than a third of all cancers are preventable by reducing exposure to risk factors like alcohol, tobacco, obesity and physical inactivity. Early detection of cancer can play a crucial role in treatment and reducing the burden. It is very important to recognize the early signs and symptoms of cancer and take prompt action to seek medical attention.
Dr. Tsering Wangchuk
Health Kalon
